Adventure Getaways For Kids in Big Bear Lake

Family vacation memories are sure to be made during your next trip to a Big Bear Lake cabin rental! Big Bear is loaded with fun, kid friendly activities that are sure to excite the whole family. Hit the trails in a Jeep, catch your own dinner, set sail on a pirate ship or fly through the air in a helicopter! Here are our favorite adventure getaways for kids in Big Bear Lake.

Helicopter Ride

Helicopter in Big Bear

Fly high above the trees in a helicopter and view the beautiful Big Bear landscape from a different perspective! All ages are welcome on this exciting ride that circles over Big Bear Lake and the surrounding valley. During the tour, all passengers will wear a communicative headset and will be able to speak with each other as well as directly to the pilot. The tours are completely private and will only include your party aboard the flight.

Take your pick of flight path and length for an enjoyable and memorable flight. Tours can range from 10 minutes to 65 minutes long depending on which one you choose. The amazing scenic views can include the Mojave Desert, the San Gorgonio Mountain Range, the Santa Ana Canyon and more! Rides start at just $35 and discounts are available. This family-friendly adventure is available year-round as the weather permits. Stop by the Big Bear Lake Airport or visit their website for pricing and flight information.

Jeep Experience

Jeep Experience in Big Bear

Kids love adventure and there is nothing more exciting than hitting the trails in a Jeep! At Big Bear Jeep Experience you can choose from a variety of courses ranging from a beginner off-road sightseeing tour to a more advanced ride that includes rock crawling. The kid friendly Holcomb Valley Gold Fever Trail tour will take you through the Holcomb Valley where the original settlers and gold miners dug for treasure. Lucky Baldwin Mine and Van Dusen Cabin will be a couple of sights you will see on this tour. This tour takes about an hour to complete and ages 1 ½ and up are welcome.

What to expect

All tours include a guide that will take you through the wilderness while you follow along in your own Jeep and can take you as far as Lake Arrowhead, Johnson Valley or the Santa Ana River. With every stop and obstacle you complete, Big Bear Jeep Experience will capture the moment on any device provided by the guest. This is one car ride where your kids won’t ask “are we there yet?”. Get ready for an off-roading experience like never before, sure to provide a fun and memorable time exploring the trails! For rates and tour information visit their website or call (909) 420-5828.

Fishing

Big Bear Lake is a great location for fishing with multiple types of fish available to catch you’re sure to have hours of fun. Big Bear

Fishing in Big Bear

Lake hosts kid friendly tournaments throughout the year for your little ones to compete in. Try your hand at catching trout, bass and carp. Whether you are an experienced angler or hobby fisherman, you are sure to remember the look on your child’s face when they reel in their first catch!

You have options

Bring your own boat or rent a fishing boat from one of our 6 marinas. Fishing gear such as rods, bait and more can be found at local sporting goods stores. Purchase a guided fishing tour at a local marina and let an experienced, licensed fishing guide teach you and your kids all the basics of fishing. You’ll leave the lesson confident enough to fish any water on your own.

For fishing license information visit the California Fish & Wildlife website or call one of the local sporting goods and fishing stores in Big Bear Lake. Licenses are required for ages 16+.

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Hiking

Hiking in Big Bear

Head to the mountains and take a hike! The Big Bear Discovery Center is a great starting place to learn about the various trails throughout the Big Bear Valley. The Woodland Trail on the north side of the lake is a wonderful, family-friendly 1.5 mile loop with educational stopping points along the way. Kids can keep an eye out for the 16 trail markers in the shape of bear paws situated throughout the path. Each stop provides information about how plants and animals use the surrounding forest to survive. Make sure you stop by the Visitor Center before your hike to pick up a trail brochure that provides all of the details for each bear paw post.

If you’re looking for a little longer hiking experience, try the Crystal Mountain trail. At 3.9 miles in length, this trail will take you through beautiful meadows of wildflowers and huckleberry bushes. Take your binoculars with you and view the many different types of wildlife you will find along this trail. This trail is best used from March – October. Don’t forget to pick up your Adventure Pass before you go. Both trails are also pet friendly so you can bring your dog along on your adventure as well!

Pirate Ship

Pirate Ship Cruise & Tours in Big Bear

What’s more exciting than sailing on a pirate ship, captained by a real life pirate! Hop aboard and set sail around Big Bear Lake! Each tour is captained by a “pirate” and features live entertainment. The pirate ship was featured in the 1981 movie “Time Bandits” where it got its name, The Time Bandit! Tours are approximately 90 minutes long and include beautiful scenery, historical enrichment and some corny jokes along the way. Private tours are also available for special events such as birthdays, brunches and more.

The ship includes a couple more surprises including a full bar for adults to enjoy and a treasure chest of surprises for the kids to take advantage of. Their rotating cast and crew members each bring their own unique flair to the pirate experience so no tour is exactly the same. You can ride multiple times and experience something new each trip! Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience that your kids will be talking about even after your trip is over. For sailing times visit the Holloway Marina website or call (909) 866-4386.

Do you remember family vacations as a kid? Big Bear Lake is the perfect place to continue the tradition. It’s time to disconnect and reconnect in a Big Bear Lake cabin rental. We have great family cabins close to the lake, near hiking trails and The Village shopping center. If your four-legged loved one will be coming along, choose from one of our many pet friendly cabin rentals. Book your family adventure now and get ready for a lifetime of memories! Call (909) 752-0234 and let our vacation experts help you plan your next Big Bear Lake getaway!

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